The current Vodka Tasting protocol which ensures the double-blinded nature of each event has been in place for around 30 years.

Preparation

  1. Two personnel: the Decanter and the Blinder
  2. Five standard 750 ml liquor bottles (re-used each year), without any labels
  3. Five Decanting Labels (A, B, C, D, E)
  4. Five Blinding Labels (Vodka 1, Vodka 2…Vodka 5) &edash; tangentially related to the Tasting’s theme
  5. Decanting and Blinding Forms to record the actions
  6. Funnel, scotch tape, glue

During the procedure the Decanter and Blinder are never in the room together.

Decanting

  1. The Decanter takes the five Vodka Tasting candidates one at a time.
  2. 700 ml from each bottle is decanted into one of the empty bottles and a Decanting Label applied.
  3. The vodka name and the Decanting code are recorded on the Decanting Form and placed in an envelope.
  4. The Decanter leaves the room.

Sample Decanting labels used during the blinding process

Blinding

  1. The Blinder shuffles the now-full bottles (so as not to go A, B, C, D, E and thus randomising further).
  2. Blinding Labels are picked at random and affixed to each bottle in turn.
  3. The Decanting Code and matching Blinding Code are recorded on the Blinding Form.
  4. The folded paper is added to the other one in the envelope, which is then sealed with wax.

Sample Decanting Labels, these ones used for the "Sail Away, Sail Away, Sail Away" Tasting

Final Step

  1. The bottles are placed in the freezer, along with the “Out of Competition” vodka, and left overnight.
  2. Ballots are printed for use during the actual Tasting (see sample below).

Sample ballot from "Sail Away, Sail Away, Sail Away"

After the Tastings

  1. The completed ballots are assembled (and incomplete or otherwise flawed ones are discarded).
  2. Votes are entered into a spreadsheet for analysis.
  3. The unblinding is performed and the winner and runners-up determined.

Blinding and Results forms from Vodka Tasting XXV. (Poor old Blighty, always the bridesmaid, never the bride...)